In starting this new Hockey Heritage series, I want to pay tribute to some favourite hockey legends. During the quiet times of the off-season, I thought I would share some of my best memories of hockey years ago. We often forget the great players of yesteryear, which is why I would like to reintroduce them to you.
Some of the greatest underdogs of yesterday. Hockey has some of the greatest gifts we should open up to, appreciate, and shine up. If possible, I might also bring in some of the great announcers I listened to growing up. Or I will watch some on YouTube. They were the greatest storytellers in the game.
The greatest era of hockey has always been debated. I could give you a solid argument almost every decade. I loved the 1980s despite the Oilers and Islanders dominating. As a Leafs fan, I would call it the dark ages. There were some gosh-awful Maple Leafs teams (family site). I would have to laugh when watching them. If I didn’t, I would have to cry and take up knitting. Trust me, no one wants to see that, although my wife would take it over my colourful language while watching the Leafs and Flames this coming season.
The eighties also brought in the greatest rivalries in the NHL. The War of Alberta came into being with the birth of the Oilers and Flames. This was exasperating as a Flames fan after falling at the end of the score. The second rivalry that came from the WHA expansion at the birth of the Quebec Nordiques was the Quebec Civil War. The 1984 series was a classic that went the full seven games, with the Habs emerging victorious. Of course, the 1985 series ended with the famous goal—if memory serves me well—by Peter Stastny for the Nordiques.
Randy
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